1956-1960 Evinrude Mechanic Wanted

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  • October 17, 2025 at 1:10 pm #300698
    JoeCobb56
    Participant

      US Member

      Hi, I’m looking for someone who is a good, experienced mechanic on 1956-1960 Evinrude outboard motors that lives in or near the Hudson Valley, Catskills, or Adirondack region. I will travel further if necessary. I have three Evinrudes on three separate boats: 1956 30hp, 1960 40hp, 1960 18hp They all run, but need some cleaning, tuning, etc…

      Thank You, Joe

      October 17, 2025 at 2:06 pm #300699
      crosbyman
      Participant

        Canada Member

        why not  do it yourself with this great book … nothing complicated and a great hobby  it covers all you need, with some utubes and  help from this site should you hit a snag   ……  you could become the regions’s expert.

        just dowload and print locally.  best and cheapest book for $20   400 + pages

        https://watercraftmanuals.com/outboard/johnson/johnson-302231.htm

         

        comes in red or white 🙂

         

         

         

        Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

        October 17, 2025 at 8:36 pm #300714
        Waunnaboat
        Participant

          US Junior Member

          I agree with crosbyman.  Tuning anything on a running motor should not take too long, especially if you end up having to drive a while to have somebody else fix it, which would probably also end up costing you a good deal depending on who you bring it too.  Cleaning a carb does not take long, and even redoing the entire electrical system should not take more than a day or two.  replacing lower unit oil should not take long either.

          "Outboards seem to multiply exponentially..........I find that for every finished project, there are two more waiting to be completed."

          October 18, 2025 at 9:38 am #300721
          JoeCobb56
          Participant

            US Member

            I believe my 40hp Evinrude Lark needs a new impeller. I did not see water coming out of the pee-hole when I ran it in a garbage can full of water. I do not feel confident in taking an engine apart and fixing things that I am not familiar with. Sometimes more harm can be done if one doesn’t know what he is doing, and more time wasted. I am just looking for someone that has a good familiarity with fixing these old engines. Someone who recognizes other potential problems while working on the engine. This would make it less likely for the engine to fail when out on the water. I don’t have time to learn the intricacies of these engines. They may seem simple and easy to some, but not to all. So when replacing the impeller, I would ask that a basic cleaning/tune-up be done. Thank You.

            October 18, 2025 at 9:56 am #300726
            fleetwin
            Participant

              US Member

              I applaud your caution, these engines actually do have a complicated water pump and cooling system.  Running them in a barrel/bucket can be deceiving, they are very sensitive when it comes to the water pump.  You might try launching the boat and running it that way, if you have a boat that is.   Keep in mind, it is perfectly normal to seen nothing coming out of the cooling/exhaust relief hole until the engine warms up and the thermostat opens, even then you will only see a fine spray for a minute or so while the thermostat is open, very confusing.

              Don’t get me wrong, it is always a good idea to service the water pump, but it is tricky on this style engine.  Wish I lived nearby, but don’t, sorry.

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              JoeCobb56
              October 18, 2025 at 9:57 am #300730
              fleetwin
              Participant

                US Member

                PS :If you don’t have a boat to run the engine on, be sure the water level in the bucket is fairly high, a few inches highere that the joint between the gearcase and exhaust housing…

                October 18, 2025 at 11:25 am #300736
                JoeCobb56
                Participant

                  US Member

                  I do have the engine on a 1956 Crestliner Voyager 15. The 40hp Evinrude Lark I have is a 1960 model. I believe I had the water in the bucket a few inches higher than the joint between the gear case and exhaust housing when I started it. I did have some trouble getting it started, as it had sat since I bought it back in May. I just started it in September. It stalled out a few times and I did not want to keep starting it back up in fear I might do some damage. So I thought I should take it to someone who knows what they are doing, and have it given a thorough looking over, and have the necessary things done to it. It would be nice to get it out on the water for a day, and then have it winterized.

                  October 18, 2025 at 11:42 am #300737
                  fleetwin
                  Participant

                    US Member

                    OK, I understand.   Did you not restart the engine because you feared it would overheat?  Probably just needs to richen up the low speed needle a bit.  I will certainly let you know if anyone in your area comes to mind.

                    In the meantime, if you feel you want to give the water pump job a try, let us know, will walk you through every step.   I am hoping this is a fresh water engine though, this job is a real bear on salt water engines.

                    PS:  How close are you to Albany?  I remember one old time OMC dealer there, Albany Marine Supply.  He is a crusty bugger, but very experienced with older engines and I would trust his work.  Don’t know what his labor rate is though.  Give him a call, or visit, tell him that Don from OMC recommended him.  He will probably refer to me as a pencil pushing dope!  Sorry, but can’t remember his name from many years ago.

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                    JoeCobb56
                    October 18, 2025 at 11:44 am #300738
                    JoeCobb56
                    Participant

                      US Member

                      I had been using a guy in Saranac Lake to work on my old engines, but he just retired. I live 250 miles South of Saranac Lake, so I’m trying to find someone who knows these old evinrudes in that 250 mile area, more or less.

                      October 18, 2025 at 11:49 am #300739
                      fleetwin
                      Participant

                        US Member
                        JoeCobb56 wrote:

                        I had been using a guy in Saranac Lake to work on my old engines, but he just retired. I live 250 miles South of Saranac Lake, so I’m trying to find someone who knows these old evinrudes in that 250 mile area, more or less.

                        I remember him, Don from Saranac Lake Marine, he and his son.  Very nice guys, plenty of experience with older engines.

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                        JoeCobb56
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